Connection between two inter engaging elements

Abstract

A connection between the end of a cylindrical pipe inserted into a hole in a plate for connection there with, the connection being fluid-tight and capable of resisting a torsional couple; the connection is effected by first expanding the pipe-end with respect to the original pipe profile and by shaping the cross-section of the outer circumference of the expanded pipe-end and the inner wall of the hole in the plate such that the projection of the zone of contact upon a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe differs from a pure circular form.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A fluid-tight connection between two interengaged elements comprising an elongated pipe element having an end, and a plate element with a hole receiving the end of the pipe element, said pipe element having a constant internal diameter, said end of the pipe element having a greater wall thickness and a greater outer diametral extent as compared to the remainder of the pipe element and having a non-circular shape in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe element, said hole in the plate element being complementary in shape to the non-circular shape of the pipe end and receiving a first portion of said pipe end for transmitting torsional force therebetween, a lid on said pipe end to close the same, said lid having an outer surface of the same shape as the pipe end, a ring engaging both the lid and a second portion of the pipe end to transmit torsional force therebetween, and an annular seal between said lid and said pipe end and means holding said ring on said pipe end and holding said lid against said pipe end with said seal interposed therebetween to form a liquid-tight connector. 
     
     
       2. A connection as claimed in claim 1 comprising a weld between the pipe end and the plate element. 
     
     
       3. A connection as claimed in claim 1 comprising adhesive means between the pipe end and the plate element. 
     
     
       4. A connection as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-circular shape of the pipe end is formed by respective first and second portions of greater and lesser radius from the axis of the pipe element, the radius of said second portion being at most not substantially greater than the radius of the remainder of the pipe element. 
     
     
       5. A connection as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-circular shape includes linear segments which are radially inclined at an angle greater than 0°. 
     
     
       6. A connection as claimed in claim 5 wherein said linear segments extend radially. 
     
     
       7. A connection as claimed in claim 5 wherein said non-circular portion is of ziz-zag tooth shape. 
     
     
       8. A connection as claimed in claim 5 wherein said non-circular portion is of cylindrical shape with flats thereon. 
     
     
       9. A connection as claimed in claim 5 wherein said non-circular portion is of cylindrical shape with crenelated steps. 
     
     
       10. A connection as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate element is relatively thin and said pipe end of greater wall thickness and outer diametral extent has a greater axial extent than the thickness of the plate element to project therebeyond.